Lithium prices in Asia rose by ~2% this week - which equates to an annualised increase of 180% p.a.

From Fastmarkets:

"Sources reported that the supply tightness in Europe and the US was mostly due to soaring prices in Asia, especially in China, with global producers allocating available stock to these more lucrative markets."

Hmmm ... relying on lithium imports might not be a great strategy for the US.

https://www.metalbulletin.com/Article/4014086/GLOBAL-LITHIUM-WRAP-Asian-prices-strengthen-on-supply-concerns.html